Tropicana given the ok to move inland

 

 

The owner of Evansville’s casino now has state permission to move from its current riverboat docked along the Ohio River to a new $50 million onshore facility.

Indiana Gaming Commission members voted unanimously Wednesday to approve plans for the new Tropicana Evansville casino.

The new casino will be the first under a state law enacted last year allowing riverboats to build new casinos on land near their current locations.

The Evansville Courier and Press reports Mayor Lloyd Winnecke says Tropicana’s move will be a boost for the city.

Tropicana announced plans in November for building the new casino between its existing hotels across the street from the current riverboat. Tropicana officials expect construction to start this fall and finish by late 2017.